Turkey Detains 1,900 in Protests Over Jailed Mayor, Rejects Global Criticism

Turkey said on March 27 it rejected "prejudiced" international statements over the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and the nationwide protests triggered by it, as the authorities detained nearly 1,900 people taking part in the demonstrations.

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ISTANBUL -

Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's biggest political rival who leads him in some polls, was jailed pending trial for graft on March 23. His arrest prompted the largest anti-government protests in a decade and led to mass arrests across the country.

Imamoglu's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), other opposition parties, rights groups and Western powers have all said the case against the mayor—dismissed from his job due to the case—was a politicized effort to eliminate a potential electoral threat to Mr. Erdogan.

The government denies any influence over the judiciary and says the courts are independent.

Speaking to international media representatives in Istanbul, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Ankara had asked its European partners to act with "common sense," adding that the gravity of the allegations against Imamoglu required his arrest.